Anti-corruption protest draws water cannon, arrests in Cyprus

Police in Cyprus used water cannon and stun grenades to disperse several hundred demonstrators during a protest in the capital Nicosia on Saturday.

The demonstrators were protesting at what they said was rampant corruption among government officials on the Mediterranean island.

Police said ten demonstrators were taken into custody, and six others were fined 300 euros ($363) for violating a coronavirus ban on public gatherings.

Protesters accused authorities of using the ban to try to silence legitimate opposition to corruption, and said police had deployed disproportionate force.

But police said the demonstrators had been warned in advance that their rally was illegal, adding that officers had resorted to force only after being pelted with rocks.

(Image Credit: AP)